Latin America Green News is a selection of weekly news highlights about environmental and energy issues in Latin America.

June 7th-13th, 2014

Chile

Chile’s Committee of Ministers voted unanimously to reject the HidroAysén hydroelectric project after reviewing the 35 pending appeals against the dams. The Committee’s decision points to three central faults: the lack of a relocation plan for people affected by the dams, inadequate evaluation of the impacts of changes to the ecosystem’s hydrology; and inconsistences with regard to the baseline for terrestrial wildlife that made it impossible to quantify impacts and determine mitigation and compensation measures. Once notified of the decision, the company has thirty days to appeal it before the Third Environmental Tribunal in Valdivia, which could take up to a year to make a determination. (El Dinamo 6/10/2014; El Dinamo 6/13/2014)

Over the coming weeks, the Ministry of Environment will be prioritizing a new Environmental Evaluation Strategy regulation. This new statute will be key for the approval of a series of new public policies that form one of the pillars of President Bachelet’s energy agenda including: sectoral and communal regulatory plans, as well as coastal, marine and watershed zoning instruments. As part of this process, the expectation is that each region will determine which watersheds to prioritize for development. (Revista Electricidad 6/13/2014)

Costa Rica

Despite the growing threat of climate change, Costa Rica appears to be lagging behind other Latin American countries in effectively promoting renewable energy. Climate change expert, Monica Araya, calls for a new vision for Costa Rica that is focused on creating a modern, clean and secure country with clean and efficient energy and transportation systems; and guided by appropriated land use planning that protects resources and people. (Diario Extra 6/10/2014).

The municipality of Cartago is the first Costa Rican municipality to sign an agreement to protect the environment. Cartago has committed to protect 365 hectares of forest and 150 hectares expected to regenerate naturally. Cartago will also be responsible for 35 hectares of reforestation. An agreement was signed with the National Forestry Financing Fund to strengthen payments for environmental services in these areas. (CR Hoy 6/7/2014).

Mexico

The Senate Energy Commission has publicly submitted its draft of secondary laws for energy reform. The proposed laws would open the door for Mexico to import electricity even without using the Federal Energy Commission’s transmission lines. The draft would also impose heavy fines on anyone who tries to steal or illegally sell electricity. The draft also attempts to clarify the process through which electricity generators must reach agreements with land owners. (Excelsior 6/13/2014).

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Switchboard is the staff blog of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the nation’s most effective environmental group. For more about our work, including in-depth policy documents, action alerts and ways you can contribute, visit NRDC.org.